Hyattsville, Maryland was born as 'Beale Town'. The area traded in timber, furs and tobacco in the 1760's, but soon converted to farming as nearby deep water ports took over cargo shipping. Eventually named for Christopher Hyatt, a postmaster of Hyattsville, the city was incorporated in 1886.

Hyattsville was a "Route 1 Community" back when Rte 1 paralleled the railroad, and Washington DC residents escaped the heat and humidity of the District to their summer cottages northeast of the District. These older homes are now Hyattsville's Historic District, and town homes, apartments and condominiums have been added to the residential mix.

Located in the Baltimore-Washington corridor of Northern Prince George's County, Hyattsville is only a half hour commute to Baltimore. Unlike many towns in the high-powered Washington DC environment, Hyattsville's priority is to provide a "supportive environment for raising children and developing businesses", and "preserving a small-town atmosphere". Neighborhood play areas for children and picnic areas for families are scattered throughout this "frontporch community". The Anacostia River trickles through the 32 acre Magruder Park, which is the site of many and varied community events.

With a population of 14,733 (2000 census), Hyattsville boasts 150 families as active members of the Hyattsville Preservation Association. The annual Hyattsville House Tour is a popular fund raiser and many attend yearly for ideas for their own homes. The Hyattsville Armory building was designed and built as an exact model of Windsor Castle - 1/4 scale.

Hyattsville's tree lined streets have earned it the distinction of being named "Tree City USA". School choices are excellent with the public school system augmented by many private and parochial schools. The Prince George's County school "magnet" program is recognized as a national model for excellence. The University of Maryland at College Park, which is 10 minutes away, is the ninth largest university in the United States. Hyattsville's Maryland section of the local library is nationally known and is frequented by writers and historians alike.

Hyattsville is minutes from national monuments and museums via I-95 and the Capital Beltway (I-495). There are two Metro stations (West Hyattsville and Prince George's Plaza), Metrobus, MARC commuter rail (between Baltimore and Washington), and the University of Maryland shuttlebus (for student transportation).

The College Park Airport is a five minute walk from a Metro station and international flights are available through Dulles International, Baltimore Washington International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The College Park Airport is a tourist mecca in itself. As the oldest continually operated airport in the world, it is also the site of many "First's". Established in 1909, it is known as the "Cradle of Aviation".